People get nervous presenting in public. On video, it’s even worse! When I ask audiences, "Who likes to see themselves on video?" no one raises their hand, ever!
The principles for a presentation are the same except for video, the nervousness is intensified.
Why? Because the presentation is never over – it can be replayed again and again. But, ask yourself, who are you comparing yourself to?
It’s a total waste of time to compare yourself to anyone because it always causes unhappiness. Listen, if you want to overcome nervousness, you must build your confidence. Here’s how:
1
PREPARE
75% of anxiety/nervousness can be eliminated by just preparing.
Make a list or outline of the 3, 5, or 7 things that you are going to share (including your introduction and close) and…
2
KNOW YOUR MATERIAL
You are the expert. The more you share your knowledge, the more confident you become.
In other words, become extremely familiar with your content so that you can confidently share it. You can have an outline to keep you focused, but you want to spend your time either looking at the camera or looking straight ahead as if you were speaking to an audience.
If you do have an outline, have it up next to the camera so that you can keep your head up or use a teleprompter.
3
TAKE THE FOCUS OFF OF YOU
Presenting is not about the presenter. It’s about the audience.
Thoughts about not being good enough (whatever your version is) cause anxiety and nervousness – the reasons don’t matter because it could be any reason – but it’s what you’re thinking that matters.
Change your thoughts because whatever you focus on becomes your life.
If you focus on how “bad” you are, that’s what you get to feel like. Instead:
- Notice your anxiety or nervousness,
- Consciously shift your thoughts/focus off of you, and
- Focus on your commitment to provide valuable content and get busy preparing and practicing.
Anytime you feel nervous, repeat the steps above. You are developing a new way of being and it can take some practice, but anyone can do it. Try it! If you need more help with overcoming nervousness, take my Free Training on Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking.
4
BREATHE & PAUSE
What do you do if you freeze up during your presentation?
Like, you start having those anxiety thoughts again?
Pause and take a breath to give yourself a chance to get centered and pull yourself together. Laugh!
The power of the pause is very effective. Your audience doesn’t know what’s really going on. Pausing is a good attention getter – it’s actually a tool for engaging your audience – and can be used for emphasis.
5
LOOK & FEEL YOUR BEST
Looking and feeling your best means just that.
It doesn’t mean that you should compare yourself to anyone else except you.
Wear a color that pops on the camera or at least looks good on you.
Do all that you can do to look good and feel good and then let it go.
Don’t waste your time trying to be perfect. No one is perfect and anyone who appears perfect is difficult to relate to. Instead, be comforted knowing that no one can be you better than you. Remember what GURU spells - Gee, You Are You! You are your own G.U.R.U.
6
GET STARTED & GET GOING
Join a video challenge or start one with your own community.
By doing videos on a regular basis, you will gain experience, knowledge, and confidence. You’ll learn things that work and don’t work.
Experience can be a great confidence builder.